Should high school students be required to take and pass exams in order to graduate?

This is one of the big questions facing state elected officials at the moment. Gov. Ed Rendell is pushing the idea and, in fact, recently his administration signed a $201 million contract with a company to create the testing series called "Keystone Exams" to do so.

The firm is being paid to put together end-of-course exams and supportive materials in 10 subject areas: algebra I, algebra II, geometry, biology, chemistry, reading composition, literature, U.S. history, civics and government and world history.

The first class that would be impacted by the exit exams would be those graduating in 2015.

But many lawmakers oppose the idea, and education and business groups are lining up on both sides. There is even legislation pending that would prohibit any new statewide graduation requirements from being imposed.

We want to know what you think about the exit exams. Special interest groups and politicians are weighing in, but we want to hear your thoughts.

This is an important issue and we plan to run your letters -- no more than 200 words -- to shed new light as to whether the exams make sense for our students.

If you are interested in weighing in send your letter to letters@pnco.com with the subject line "graduation exams" or by fax at 717-255-8456 or through the mail: Letters to the Editor, The Patriot-News, P.O. Box 2265, Harrisburg, PA 17105.